Scientific Investigation, Reasoning, and Logic

6.1  The student will plan and conduct investigations in which
     *   observations are made involving fine discrimination
         between similar objects and organisms;
     *   a classification system is developed based on multiple
         attributes;
     *   differences in descriptions and working definitions
         are made;
     *   precise and approximate measures are recorded;
     *   scale models are used to estimate distance, volume,
         and quantity;
     *   hypotheses are stated in ways that identify the
         independent (manipulated) and dependent (responding)
         variables;
     *   a method is devised to test the validity of
         predictions and inferences;
     *   one variable is manipulated over time with many
         repeated trials;
     *   data are collected, recorded, analyzed, and reported
         using appropriate metric measurement;
     *   data are organized and communicated through graphical
         representation (graphs, charts, and diagrams); and
     *   models are designed to explain a sequence.

6.2  The student will demonstrate scientific reasoning and logic. 
     Key concepts include
     *   ideas are investigated by asking for and actively
         seeking information;
     *   multiple tests of ideas are performed before accepting
         or rejecting them;
     *   alternative scientific explanations are analyzed; and
     *   conclusions are based on scientific evidence obtained
         from a variety of sources.

Force, Motion, and Energy

6.3  The student will investigate and understand sources of
     energy and their transformations.  Key concepts include
     *   potential and kinetic energy;
     *   energy sources (fossil fuels, wood, wind, water,
         solar, and nuclear power); and
     *   energy transformations (mechanical to electrical,
         electrical to heat/light, chemical to light, and
         chemical to electrical/light).
OneWorld: Energy

Energy Education from California Energy Commission

DOE Information Bridge

Petroleum

Natural Gas

Nuclear Energy Institute

The Solar Energy Network

Mr. Solar Homepage

The Nature of Water Power


6.4  The student will investigate and understand basic
     characteristics of electricity.   Key concepts include
     *   electrical energy can be produced from a variety of
         energy sources and can be transformed into almost any
         other form of energy;
     *   electricity is related to magnetism;
     *   currents are either alternating or direct;
     *   circuits can be parallel or series;
     *   electrical energy can be described in volts and amps;
         and
     *   electrical energy consumption is measured using common
         units (kilowatts/kilowatt hours).
Magnetic Fields


Matter

6.5  The student will investigate and understand that all matter
     is made up of atoms.  Key concepts include
     *   atoms are made up of electrons, protons, and neutrons;
     *   atoms of any element are alike but are different from
         atoms of other elements; and
     *   historical development and significance of discoveries
         related to the atom.
Dalton's atomic theory


6.6  The student will investigate and understand how to classify
     materials as elements, compounds, or mixtures.  Key concepts
     include
     *   mixtures can be separated by physical processes;
     *   compounds can only be separated by chemical processes;
         and
     *   elements cannot be separated by physical or chemical
         means.
Chem4Kids

Chemistry Teaching Resources


6.7  The student will investigate and understand that matter has
     physical and chemical properties and can undergo change. 
     Key concepts include
     *   physical changes; and
     *   changes in chemical composition, including oxidation
         reactions (rusting and burning), photosynthesis, and
         acid-base neutralization reactions. 
Photosynthesis Center


Life Processes

6.8  The student will investigate and understand that organisms
     perform life processes that are essential for the survival
     and perpetuation of the species.  Key concepts include 
     *   energy transformation (from food or photosynthesis);
         and
     *   respiration, movement, waste removal, growth,
         irritability (response), and reproduction.
MadSci Library: Cell Biology


Living Systems

6.9  The student will investigate and understand that organisms
     depend on other organisms and the nonliving components of
     the environment.  Key concepts include
     *   producers, consumers, and decomposers;
     *   food webs and food pyramids; and
     *   cycles (water, carbon dioxide/oxygen, nitrogen).
Planet Earth


Interrelationships in Earth/Space Systems

6.10 The student will investigate and understand the organization
     of the solar system and the relationships among the various
     bodies that comprise it.  Key concepts include
     *   the, sun, moon, Earth, other planets and their moons,
         meteors, asteroids, and comets;
     *   relative size of and distance between planets;
     *   the role of gravity;
     *   revolution and rotation;
     *   the mechanics of day and night and phases of the moon;
     *   the relationship of the Earth's tilt and seasons;
     *   the cause of tides; and
     *   the history and technology of space exploration.
Astronomy for Kids

Interactive Solar System

Welcome to the Planets

The Nine Planets

Resources

6.11 The student will investigate and understand public policy
     decisions relating to the environment.  Key concepts include
     *   management of renewable resources (water, air, plant
         life, animal life);
     *   management of nonrenewable resources (coal, oil,
         natural gas, nuclear power); and
     *   cost/benefit tradeoffs in conservation policies.
Energy and the Environment


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